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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Quotation Test: Choose the Correctly Punctuated Sentence with Quotation Marks

Quick, free quotation marks quiz. Instant results and helpful fixes.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Camryn RappleanUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration about testing punctuation skills with quotation marks and question marks on teal background.

This quiz helps you use quotation marks correctly in dialogue and sentences, including commas and question marks. Get instant results with quick tips after each choice. Want more practice? Try choose the correctly punctuated sentence, explore which sentence is correct, or build skills with identify the correct sentence.

Which of the following is correctly punctuated?
She said, "Let's go to the park."
She said "Let's go to the park",
She said, "Let's go to the park"
She said "Let's go to the park."
In American English, the comma belongs after 'said' and the period goes inside the closing quotation marks. Quotation punctuation in US style always places commas and periods inside the quotes. For more examples, see .
Where does the period go in this sentence: "I can't believe it"?
Inside the closing quotation mark.
No period is needed.
Outside the closing quotation mark.
Before the first quotation mark.
In American punctuation, periods are placed inside closing quotation marks. This rule applies even if the quoted material is a complete sentence. See .
Choose the sentence with the comma correctly placed:
He said "I am ready",
He said, "I am ready."
He said "I am ready."
He said, "I am ready",
When introducing a quotation, place a comma after the tag (e.g., 'he said') and keep the period inside the quotation marks. The correct form ensures clear separation of dialogue and narrative. For more, see .
In American English, where should the comma go? Did she just say "time to go"?
No comma is needed.
Inside the closing quotation mark.
Outside the closing quotation mark.
Before the opening quotation mark.
When a question follows a quotation, the question mark goes inside the closing quotation marks if it's part of the quoted material, but the comma that separates clauses remains outside in this structure. Here, no comma is needed inside because the quotation ends with the question mark. See .
Which is capitalized correctly in this dialogue tag: "why did you say, 'good morning' to everyone?"
Why did you say, 'Good morning.' to everyone?
Why did you say, 'Good morning' to everyone?
Why did you say, 'good morning' to everyone?
why did you say, 'Good Morning' to everyone?
When quoting a greeting or sentence, the first word of the quoted material is capitalized, even if it appears mid-sentence. The comma stays outside the single quotation marks around 'Good morning'. For more, visit .
Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks for a short title?
I just read 'The Gift of the Magi' and loved it.
I just read The Gift of the Magi and loved it.
I just read "The Gift of the Magi" and loved it.
I just read 'The Gift of the Magi' and loved it.
Short works like short stories and poems are enclosed in double quotation marks in American style. Italics are reserved for longer works. For more details on titles, see .
Which of the following uses scare quotes correctly?
He's my 'friend' but I don't trust him.
He's my "friend" but I don't trust him.
He's my "friend" but I don't trust him.
He's my friend but I don't trust him.
Scare quotes indicate irony or doubt around the word 'friend.' In American usage, double quotation marks are standard. Single or curly quotes are stylistic but less common. See .
Where does the exclamation point belong? "Watch out"
Before the opening quotation mark: !"Watch out"
Outside the closing quotation mark: "Watch out"!
No exclamation point needed.
Inside the closing quotation mark: "Watch out!"
When the quoted material itself is exclaimed, the exclamation point goes inside the closing quotation mark. This follows standard American punctuation rules. For more, see .
How should you punctuate nested quotations in American English?
She said, "He yelled, 'Stop!' before running away."
She said, 'He yelled, "Stop!" before running away.'
She said, 'He yelled, 'Stop!' before running away.'
She said, "He yelled, "Stop!" before running away."
In American English, double quotation marks enclose the primary quotation and single marks enclose nested quotes. The exclamation point stays within the inner quotes because it's part of the inner speech. See .
Where should the semicolon be placed in relation to quotation marks?
Replace it with a comma.
Before the opening quotation mark.
Inside the closing quotation mark.
After the closing quotation mark.
Semicolons are always placed outside closing quotation marks in American punctuation. They separate closely related independent clauses. This differs from commas and periods, which go inside. More on this at .
Which option correctly applies a colon before a quotation?
He made his choice clear, "I'm leaving now":
He made his choice clear: "I'm leaving now."
He made his choice clear: I'm leaving now."
He made his choice clear "I'm leaving now":
Use a colon to introduce a complete quotation when the introductory clause is independent. The quotation then begins with a capital letter. See .
Which correctly punctuates dialogue interrupted by an attribution?
"I'm not," she said, "sure what you mean."
"I'm not," she said, "Sure what you mean."
"I'm not" she said, "sure what you mean."
"I'm not," she said "sure what you mean."
When dialogue is split by an attribution, place a comma before closing the first part and another after the speaker tag. The second part begins lowercase if it continues the same sentence. More at .
In British English, where does the period go in relation to quotation marks?
Outside unless part of the quote.
British English does not use periods.
Before the opening quotation mark.
Always inside the quotation marks.
British style often places periods outside the quotation marks unless the period is part of the quoted material. This contrasts with American conventions. For details, see .
How do you correctly quote a single word for definition?
The word "serendipity' means a happy accident.
The word 'serendipity' means a happy accident.
The word serendipity means "a happy accident."
The word "serendipity" means a happy accident.
Double quotation marks are used to introduce a word being defined in American English. The definition itself does not require additional quotes. See .
Which shows the correct way to include an ellipsis in a quotation?
"To be … or not to be, that is the question."
"To be... or not to be, that is the question."
"To be...or not to be, that is the question."
"To be …or not to be, that is the question."
Three spaced dots (ellipses) indicate omitted material; style guides differ on spacing. In most American usage, no spaces before the first dot but spaces between points is acceptable. For more, see .
How should you punctuate a question that is outside the quoted material? Did he say "Are you okay?" or not?
Did he say "Are you okay?", or not?
Did he say "Are you okay?" or not?
Did he say, "Are you okay?", or not?
Did he say "Are you okay"? or not?
When a quoted question ends in a question mark, you don't add another question mark outside. The embedded question's mark suffices. No comma is needed before the tag. See .
Which is correct for a block quotation introduction?
Professor Smith stated; "This theory revolutionizes physics."
Professor Smith stated: "This theory revolutionizes physics."
Professor Smith stated, "This theory revolutionizes physics."
Professor Smith stated. "This theory revolutionizes physics."
Block quotations are introduced with a colon, not a comma or period, and are set off in a new indented block without quotation marks. This matches most academic style guides. For guidance, see .
When quoting a title with its own quotation marks, how should you nest them?
She wrote about "'The Road Not Taken' by Frost".
She wrote about '"The Road Not Taken" by Frost'.
She wrote about ""The Road Not Taken" by Frost".
She wrote about "'The Road Not Taken' by Frost".
Double quotes enclose the entire quote, and single quotes enclose the title that already has quotes. The single quotes should match opening and closing style. See .
Which correctly shows a parenthetical citation after a quotation?
"To be or not to be..."; (Shakespeare, 1603)
"To be or not to be..." (Shakespeare, 1603).
"To be or not to be...," (Shakespeare, 1603).
"To be or not to be...," Shakespeare (1603).
In MLA or APA style, the citation follows immediately after the closing quotation mark without a comma. The period comes after the parenthetical. More at .
How do you indicate omitted text at the beginning of a quotation?
"...and he decided to leave."
"…and he decided to leave."
"… and he decided to leave."
"... and he decided to leave."
To show omitted text at the start, use an ellipsis inside the opening quotation mark. Style guides differ on spacing, but typically no space follows the ellipsis in American usage. See .
Which sentence correctly uses a dash in a quotation?
"If you - if you leave now" he whispered, "I'll follow you."
"If you - if you leave now," he whispered, "I'll follow you."
"If you - if you leave now," he whispered "I'll follow you."
"If you - if you leave now," he whispered, "I'll follow you."
Em dashes inside the quote indicate interruption or hesitation. Commas set off the speaker tag. The second part remains lowercase unless it starts a new sentence. For details, see .
Which is correct when a quotation ends with an exclamation and the sentence continues?
"Watch out!"; he said.
"Watch out!", he said.
"Watch out",! he said.
"Watch out!" he said.
When the quoted exclamation includes the exclamation point, no comma follows; you close the quote, then continue the sentence. This is standard American punctuation. See .
How should you punctuate a quotation that itself contains a question inside parentheses?
"What did he say (exactly?)" she asked.
"What did he say? (exactly?)" she asked.
"What did he say? (exactly)" she asked.
"What did he say (exactly)?" she asked.
The question mark belongs inside the parenthesis if part of the parenthetical question. No extra question mark follows before the closing quote. The sentence ends with a period outside because the overall sentence isn't a question. See .
Which correctly places punctuation in this nested question: He asked, "Did she say 'Where are you going?'?"
He asked, "Did she say? 'Where are you going?'"
He asked, "Did she say 'Where are you going?'?"
He asked, "Did she say, 'Where are you going?'?"
He asked, "Did she say 'Where are you going?'?"
The inner question mark belongs inside single quotes. Then you add an outer question mark before the closing double quote to indicate the overall sentence is a question. No comma is needed. For more, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Correct Quotation Mark Placement -

    Learn how to place opening and closing quotation marks accurately in our quotation quiz to ensure every quoted phrase is punctuated correctly.

  2. Distinguish Direct Quote Questions -

    Recognize when a quote question requires the question mark inside or outside the quotation to master the proper punctuation of quote questions.

  3. Apply Rules for Questions and Quotation Marks -

    Apply standard punctuation rules for questions and quotation marks to write clear, error-free sentences.

  4. Analyze Complex Quotation Scenarios -

    Break down sentences with nested quotes or multiple punctuation marks to confidently tackle tricky punctuation challenges.

  5. Enhance Writing Credibility -

    Use correct quotation punctuation to boost your professional tone and reinforce the accuracy of your written communication.

  6. Interpret Quotation Answer Explanations -

    Understand how each quotation answer is determined in the quiz to reinforce learning and remember key punctuation principles.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Placement of Periods and Commas -

    In American English, periods and commas always stay inside the closing quotation mark ("I'm here," she smiled.), whereas British style often places them logically outside ("I'm here", she smiled). Remember the "Inside the House" rule from Purdue OWL when you tackle that quote question on your quotation quiz. A quick mnemonic: "Pins in, pins out" helps you recall which style you're using.

  2. Direct vs. Indirect Quotes -

    Use quotation marks only for direct speech or text ("The answer is 42," he noted); indirect quotes (He noted that the answer is 42.) drop the marks. This distinction is frequently tested in questions and quotation marks exercises, so remember MLA's guidance on attribution. Tip: If you can't say it word-for-word, it's indirect!

  3. Integrating Dialogue Tags -

    Place dialogue tags (said, asked, exclaimed) before or after quotes to maintain flow: Mary asked, "Are you ready?" or "Are you ready?" Mary asked. The "TAG" trick - Tag, Action, Quote - helps you structure sentences neatly. According to the University of North Carolina Writing Center, this smooth integration earns full marks on your quotation answer key.

  4. Question Marks & Exclamation Points -

    If the punctuation belongs to the quoted text, it stays inside ("Who won?"); if it applies to your sentence, it goes outside: Who said "Game over"? Use the PIRATES mnemonic - Part Inside, Rest After - to remember this. Expert style guides like Chicago Manual confirm this rule as a staple question in every quotation quiz.

  5. Formatting Long Quotations -

    For block quotes over 40 words (APA) or four lines (MLA), indent the text and omit quotation marks. This clear visual cue signals a long quotation answer and keeps your paper tidy, per the MLA Handbook. Think "Indent to Stand Out" whenever you see a block quote prompt in your practice tests.

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